EVERBLADES FALL 2-1 IN OT TO JACKSONVILLE

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –  Kyle Neuber scored a goal and ECHL All-Star Cam Johnson posted 22 saves, but the Florida Everblades suffered a 2-1 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Icemen Wednesday night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. 

It took 37 minutes of play for either team to light the lamp, but the visiting Blades struck first as Neuber potted his third goal of the season at 17:01 of the second period. Neuber poked the puck past Jacksonville goaltender Charles Williams courtesy of assists by Joe Pendenza and Stefan Leblanc. 

The Everblades sustained the 1-0 lead well into the third period, but with both teams down a man, Jacksonville’s Christopher Brown knotted the score at 1-1 at 13:21 of the final frame. 

Jacksonville’s Luke Martin scored 1:33 into overtime to clinch the 2-1 win for the Icemen. 

Several hours removed from learning of his selection to the 2023 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic presented by Optima Health and Sentara Healthcare, Johnson registered 22 saves, but dropped to 11-4-3-2 with the overtime setback. 

After earning a valuable point in the South Division standings, the Everblades (15-6-3-1) will aim for a win Thursday night in Orlando, as the puck drops on the Blades and Solar Bears at 7:00 p.m. 

SCORING SUMMARY – Click for full box score   1st Period No Scoring  2nd Period 17:01 Florida K. Neuber 3 (J. Pendenza, S. Leblanc)  3rd Period 13:21 Jacksonville C. Brown 6 (L. Martin, B. Harris)  Overtime 1:33 Jacksonville L. Martin 8 (B. Harris)  GOALTENDERS  Florida – Cam Johnson 22 Saves Jacksonville – Charles Williams 18 Saves  TEAM STATISTICS  Shots on Goal –Florida 19, Jacksonville 24 Power Plays –Florida 0-1, Jacksonville 0-3 Shorthanded Goals –Florida 0, Jacksonville 0 Penalties (Minutes) –Florida 4 (8), Jacksonville 2 (4)

NEWS AND NOTES 

• The Everblades’ big playmakers came through on Kyle Neuber’s opening goal of the contest, as Joe Pendenza notched his team-best 13th assist of the season, while Stefan Leblanc stayed right on Pendenza’s heels with his 12th helper of the campaign.  

• All three of Neuber’s goals this season have come on the road, with two of his tallies coming at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. 

• Despite the overtime setback, the Everblades lead the season series 4-1-1-1. Florida has claimed 10 of a possible 14 points versus Jacksonville this season.  

• The Everblades are now 9-0-1-0 when scoring first, leaving Idaho (16-0) as the only two ECHL teams that are perfect when opening the scoring. 

NEXT GAME  

The three-games-in-three-days stretch continues on Thursday, as the Everblades and Orlando Solar Bears will play a home-and-home set. The South Division rivals meet up for a tilt in Central Florida on Thursday, December 29 at 7:00 p.m. and follow up with a tussle at Hertz Arena on Friday, December 30 at 7:30 p.m.  

On Friday night, Blades fans can take advantage of the popular 239 Friday Deals and pick up two tickets, two programs and a large, delicious popcorn for the extra special price of $39! In addition, kids 12 and under can eat free at Breakaway Sports Pub. All holiday games are brought to Everblades fans by Christmas Tree Shops. 

Be sure and catch all the action on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM and online at https://espnswfl.com or Mixlr at https://everblades.mixlr.com. 

JOIN THE FUN

Purchase a new Voucher 12 package that allows you to use 12 tickets in any quantity during the 2022-23 season to earn the exclusive benefits of being a Blades 365 Member! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits and options click HERE.

Group Packages are available for a group of 10 or more!Everblades put the FUN in FUNdraising! There is no handling of money or tickets and no limit to the amount of money your group can make with the Everblades easy-to-run online Fundraiser! For more information, or to reserve a Fundraiser Night at an Everblades regular season home game, call or text (239) 948-7825.

Show your pride for Kelly Cup Champion Florida Everblades! Grab the newest and hottest merchandise by checking out the entire collection that is available online by visiting shop.floridaeverblades.com or at the Hertz Arena Pro Shop!

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Watch every Florida Everblades game on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM and online at https://espnswfl.com or everblades.mixlr.com. 

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The Florida Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and the AHL's Charlotte Checkers.

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